| Description |
256 pages ; 22 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages [237]-246) and index. |
| Summary |
"Many have criticized liberalism for being too individualist, but few have offered an alternative that goes beyond a vague affirmation of the need for community. In this entertaining book, written in dialogue form, Daniel Bell fills this gap, presenting and defending a distinctively communitarian theory against the objections of a liberal critic." "In a Paris cafe Anne, a strong supporter of communitarian ideals, and Philip, her querulous critic, debate the issues. Drawing on the works of such thinkers as Charles Taylor, Michael Sandel, and Alasdair MacIntyre, Anne attacks liberalism's individualistic view of the person by pointing to our social embeddedness. She then develops Michael Walzer's idea that political thinking involves the interpretation of shared meanings emerging from the political life of a community, and rebuts Philip's criticism that this approach damages her case by being conservative and relativistic. She goes on to develop a justification of communal life and to answer the criticism that communitarians lack an alternative moral and political vision. The book ends with two later discussions, by Will Kymlicka and Daniel Bell, in which Anne and another friend, Louise, argue about the merits of the book's earlier debate and put it in perspective." "Daniel Bell's book is a provocative defence of a distinctively communitarian theory which will stimulate interest and debate among both students of political theory and those approaching the subject for the first time."--BOOK JACKET. |
| Contents |
In Defence of the Dialogue Form -- Act I: A Communitarian Critique of Liberal Foundations -- Act II: Political Theorizing as the Interpretation of a Community's Shared Understandings -- Act III: A Communitarian Moral Vision and Some Political Consequences -- Act IV: On the Importance of the Nation -- Act V: A Discussion about the Value of Language-Based Communities, the Gay Community, and the Family -- Appendix 1: Some Questions about Justice and Community / Will Kymlicka -- Appendix 2: A Reply / Daniel Bell. |
| Subject |
Social ethics.
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Communitarianism.
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Liberalism.
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| Indexed Term |
Liberalism |
| ISBN |
0198278772 alkaline paper £35.00 |
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9780198278771 alkaline paper |
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0198279221 paperback : USA only alkaline paper |
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9780198279228 paperback : USA only alkaline paper |
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